THE SOLDIER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3, 4 January 1900, Page 4

THE SOLDIER.

♦ I TO THE BDITOB. Sir,— Many are the speculations indulged m as to whether the regular or irregular troops make the best soldiers. The old motto " poeta nascetur non fit " likely rules here also. The Boers are soldiers from necessity, the Imperial troops from choice and necessity, and the colonial volunteers soldiers from choice only Every one knows numbers of private** enlist from necessity, and once m must remain foi a certain term. The Imperial officers, too, m many cases, join because it giv«s social position. But m the colonies wages are high, employment plentiful, and those who offer their services are m no way driven by necessity and probably possess the love for adventure and absence of fear m the highest degret . These are essential points for making a soldier. The Boers do not possess them, for they fight behind rocks and trenches, and the sword, lance, and bayonet are of no use to them, Those volunteers should be rewarded on 'heir return by grants of land. The aristocracy always were military leaders, as the origin of the word f»hows, aries being mars. The word Duke is simply from the latin Dux, a leader, and so on. — I am, etc., Mabs.